High fidelity speaker apparatus



March 7, 1961 s. M. PlNsKl HIGH FIDELITY SPEAKER APPARATUS 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 30, 1957 March 7, 1961 s. M. PlNsKl 2,973,824

HIGH FIDELITY SPEAKER APPARATUS Filed Aug. 30, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2United States Patent() HIGH FIDELITY SPEAKER APPARATUS Stanley M.Pinski, 8056 South Shore Drive, Chicago, Ill.

Filed Aug. 30, 1957, Ser. No. 681,254

7 Claims. (Cl. 181-31) This invention relates to acoustical devices andmore specifically to a novel high fidelity sound reproducing diffusingand blending apparatus. v

A general object of the invention is to devise an efficient resonatingspeaker apparatus kof novel construction which is multidirectional andwhich incorporates a blending chamber to produce a harmonious full tonaleffect.

A further object of the invention is to devise a speaker apparatus whichincludes strategically located reflectors arranged to amplify andmodulate sounds emitted from speakers to obtain an exceptionally highfidelity output.

A more specific object is to provide a speaker unit having a supportwhich resiliently mounts an amplifying resonator box of uniqueconstruction suspended in a blending chamber defined by a plurality ofbaflies for redirecting the sound in a plurality of directions.

A still further object is to provide a nove-l resilient suspension forthe resonator unit which completely isolates the unit from its supportto minimize interference and distortion of the reproduction.

A different object is to devise a resonator which is proportioned tosuperimpose harmonic secondary overtones and which includes a reliefvalve for modulating the bass tones to entirely eliminate distortion orsecondary vibrations in the lower or bass notes.

The. invention comprehends a speaker assembly which features a drum-likevertically elongated enclosure having a skeletal framework provided withperipheral cir cumferentially spaced foraminous sound pervious baflleelements in the form of sheets of foraminous, preferably woven, fabricmaterial which define vertically elongated passages therebetween, thepassages as well as the baffle sheets being covered by a loose textured,primarily decorative material which cumulatively with the baille sheetsserves to reflect sound into the blending chamber defined by the bafflesheets, but which is not particularly restrictiveto the passage ofsounds` therethrough Vat the beforementioned spaces ,between the bafflesheets. r

These and other objects of the invention will 'becom more apparent fromthe specification and the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view with portions broken away of a preferredform of the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken essentially onthe line 2 2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus takensubstantially on line 3-3 of Figure l.

Describing the invention in detail and having particular reference tothe drawings, there is illustrated a high fidelity sound reproducing andtransmitting apparatus generally indicated 2 which simulates anoctagonal shaped table or skeletal support having a top 3, legs 4depending from and connected to alternate corners 5 and dependent struts6 connected to the intervening corners 7 and with said legs definingsound emitting spaces 8 therebetween.

These spaces 8 are substantially covered by sheets of cloth 9 commonlytermed stiff in the trade and are woven to a relatively high density,the sheets being suitably secured `at their upper edges 9 to therespective peripheral portions 10 of the top 3 and at their lower edges11 to the respective octagonal edges of a bottom shelf 12 which isconnected at respective corners to the lower ends of the struts andlower portions of the legs.

The sheets 9 are foraminous and present vertical lateral edges 12 whichare circumferentially spaced about 1A" from the adjacent leg or strutand define unrestricted sound passages 13, elongated the full length ofthe sheets.

The sheets 9 having density and being fabric serve as baflles andmodulating means and collectively define a blending chamber 15 withinwhich is resiliently suspended a resonator generally indicated 16.

The resonator 16 comprises a box-like cubicle structure 16 preferablymade from plywood and comprising top and bottom sides 17 and 18 andvertical sides 19, 20, 21 and 22. The structure 16 is resilientlysuspended from its four corners 23 by upright tension springs 24 whichare mounted upon the underside 25 of the top. The bottom of thestructure 16 is supported at its corners 26 by a plurality of preferablyvariable deflection conical springs 27 which at their upper ends seat asat 28 against the underside 29 of the bottom panel 18 and at their baseends 30 seat on the top side 31 of shelf 12. Thus the box is entirelyisolated from the supporting framework. The box is preferablyproportioned as follows:

The top, bottom and front panels are preferably 2%" plywood and theremaining three side panels are 1A" plywood. The top speaker ispreferably 4" in diameter and the front speaker 9 in diameter. The topspeaker is centered on its panel and the front speaker is 61/2" belowfthe top. The box is 1l" x ll x 1S". The slot 43 is 1/2 from the backwall 19 and 11/16 from the bottom edge of the bottom wall portion 42(Figure 3). The top and front panels in effect form `a horn with theadjacent side panels. v

The top 17 is provided with a central opening 32 through whichcommunicates a tweeter or high frequency speaker 32 which extends on itsback side within the resonator box interior 33. The top 17 of thelresonator is spaced approximatelyl below the underside or baille meansor surface 25 of the table or support top 3 which serves as a reflectorand deilects the high frequency sounds downwardly about the resonatorinto the chamber 15 with equal intensity about the enltirecircumferential extent thereof.

The resonator box is provided in its vertical side 21 with an opening 35through which communicates a woofer or normal range speaker 36 which issupported from the panel 21 and extends into the interior 33 of theresonator. Thus it will be seen that the two speakers are disposed atadjacent sides of the upper interior corner 37 of the resonator box sothat the sounds are broadcast downwardly and toward the diagonallyopposite interior corner 38 whe-reat there is provided `a low frequencypressure relief valve 39.

The valve 39 comprises a slot 40 of a depth of approximately 1A, in thelower margin of the side wall 19 and a groove 41 in the contigous edge42 of the bottom wall or panel 18 of the resonator to provide an escapepassage generally indicated 43 from the interior 33 of the box into theblending chamber 15. The passage 43 is normally closed by a flat flapvalve member 44 made preferably of foraminous material such as cloth andwhich is suitably connected in any conventional way along its uppermargin 45 to the outer side 46 of the wall or panel 19 of the resonator,the flap extending the full length and depth of passage 43 and along itslower portion 47 overlapping the adjacent edge 42 of the bottom panel 18of the resonator. Thus when heavy bass notes sound in the box 16,

the flap 44 pendulates to allow the escape of air from and l'into theinterior 33 in the form of a breathing action.

The leg 4 opposite the speaker 36 supports a reilector 50 which is inthe form of a truncated cone disposed -in axial opposition to the conesof the speaker '36 Vand spaced therefrom, the reflector 50 having a base52 xed as Aby a screw 53 to the adjacent leg 4. 'and-a peripheralconical portion 54 which diverges toward the speaker 36, 'the outermargin of the cone havinf7 a peripheral stilening flange 55 thereaboutso as to rigidity Vthe cone .and prevent unwarranted vibration, therellector being preferably about the diameter of the speaker 36.

The entire support is covered by a layer of dress material 57 which isvery loosely woven fabric, the material '57 extending about the strutsand legs of the support from the top portions to the edges of the shelf12 and con nected thereto in any conventional manner. This material addsanother layer over material 9 and although extremely loose, neverthelessadds to the density of the rellector panels v9V but is sound permeable`and to a minor extent .modulates the sounds issuing from the spaces 13.

- I have found that with the construction defined in the foregoingspecification l obtain an extremely tine reproduction and by theprovision of the breather valve the necessity of providing a heavy boxconstruction for the resonator as normally required is entirelyobviated.

It will be understood that l have chosen a preferred form of theinvention for illustration and explanation, and that various other formswill become readily apparent from those skilled in the art which arecovered in the appended claims.

The input wires (not shown) for the speakers may be passed looselythrough the bottom wall of the resonator.

What is claimed is:

1. A speaker assembly comprising a skeletal framework including `aplurality of annularly arranged uprights, top and bottom panelsconnected to said uprights, a cubical resonator box resiliently`supported within the framework and having top and bottom wallsrespectively opposing and vertically spaced from said top and bottompanels, said box having vertical front,rear, and side Wallsinterconnecting said top and bottom walls, sheathings of woven materialintermediate said uprights and extending between and connected to saidtop and bottom panels and having vertical lateral edges spaced fromrespective uprights and defining vertically elongated sound escape slotstherewith, a second sheathing comprising a layer of loosely wovenmaterial covering said sheathings and said-elongated slots and delininga blending chamber therewith, said resonator box having a lower rearcorner with a sound escape slot in said rear wall along the lower edgethereof, a flap of cloth material connected to said rear wall above theupper edge of the slot therein and covering said slot in the rear wall,a rst speaker mounted upon said top wall within the box `andcommunicating through an opening therein into said blending chamber andvoicing against the said top panel, a second speaker mounted upon saidfront wall and voicing into said vblending chamber through an opening insaid front wall,

'a bafe supported upon said framework in axial alignmen and soundretlecting relation to said second speaker.

2. A speaker cabinet comprising solid top and bottom members, aplurality of panels of material interconnecting the peripheral portionsof said top and bottom members and collectively developing a soundchamber, said panels spaced laterally from each other and forming narrowsound passages therebetween open to said chamber, and a loud speakeropposing batlic mounted within the cabinet. Y

3. The invention according to claim 2 and a resonator resilientlycarried from the cabinet within said chamber.

4. The invention according to claim 2 and said panels oi materialclosely woven and said passages being approximately one quarter of aninch in width.

5. The invention according to claim 2 land said panels of material beingclosely woven and a covering of loosely woven material extending betweensaid members about the peripheries thereof and enveloping all of saidpanels and bridging said passages.

6. The invention according to claim 2 and a 'first speaker mounted inthe cabinet in opposing relation to the baille and a second speakermounted within the cabinet in opposing relation to one of said members.

7. The invention according to claim 2 and a resonator box within saidchamber having a rst speaker therein voicing upwardly against said topmember and a second speaker voicing toward said bale, and said boxhaving a breather opening and a valve member extending across saidopening.

References 'Cited in the yfile Yof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,589,408 Maxeld .lune 22, 1926 1,731,799 Thomas Oct. 15, 1929 1,732,495Brower Oct. 22, 1929 1,891,968 Bidwell et al Dec. 27, 1932 1,932,343Holland Oct. 24, 1933 2,065,367 Evans Dec. 22, 1936 2,145,318 Schenk etal. Ian. 31, 1938 2,580,916 Hodge Ian.' 1, 1952 2,680,787 Olson et al..Tune 8, 1954 2,759,553 Bosley Aug. 21, 1956 2,777,902 Goldmark Jan. 15,1957 2,834,423 Bradford May 13, 1.958 2,885,024 Jordan May 5, 1959FOREIGN PATENTS 849,253 Germany Sept. 11, 1952 `OTHER REFERENCES YPublication: Popular Mechanics, October 1954, pages 246 and 247, articletitle, Two Low Cost High-Fidelity Speaker Enclosures.

